By Caitlin Ambrose, Assistant Chief of Interpretive Services

Identifying birds can be challenging, but with practice and a useful guide, it becomes easier. Focusing on certain information when you observe a bird can help you determine what species you saw. Their behaviors, habitats, size and unique physical features are important to know. Below are various species you can find in Lake County. Information provided will help in locating and identifying these birds.

Note: The birds shown can be seen at various Lake Metroparks, but not all possible locations are listed. 

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are often seen clinging to the sides of trees as they forage for insects. They have long pointed beaks and stiff tail feathers to help support them. Some woodpeckers also search for food on the ground. Listen closely as these birds are often heard before seen.

Pileated Woodpecker

Weight: 10 oz.                    Wingspan: 29"                    Habitat: forests & woodlots
Parks to explore: Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Chagrin River Park, Veterans Park

Pileated woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker

Weight: 2.5 oz.                    Wingspan: 17"                    Habitat: forests & woodlots
Parks to explore: Lake Erie Bluffs, Pete's Pond Preserve, Veterans Park

Red-header woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Weight: 1.8 oz.                    Wingspan: 16"                    Habitat: forests & woodlots
Parks to explore: Chagrin River Park, Veterans Park

Yellow-bellied sapsucker

Tanagers & Buntings

Although brightly colored, these species are not always easy to find. Learning and listening for their calls will help in locating them. Tanagers are often high in trees while buntings are found in shrubs and along wood edges.

Scarlet Tanager

Weight: 0.98 oz.                    Wingspan: 11.5"                    Habitat: forest
Parks to explore: Lake Erie Bluffs, Hogback Ridge Park, Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Veterans Park 

Scarlet tanager

Indigo bunting

Weight: 0.51 oz.                    Wingspan: 8"                    Habitat: forest edge
Parks to explore: Chagrin River Park, Gully Brook Park, Lakeshore Reservation, Penitentiary Glen Reservation

Indigo bunting

Herons & Egrets

Watch for these birds along the shore or in shallow water. They stand motionless for long periods as they hunt for fish and small animals. 

Green heron

Weight: 7 oz.                    Wingspan: 26"                    Habitat: wetlands, lakes & ponds
Parks to explore: Hidden Lake, Pete's Pond Preserve, Veterans Park

Green heron

Great egret

Weight: 1.9 lbs.                    Wingspan: 51"                    Habitat: wetlands, lakes & ponds
Parks to explore: Veterans Park

Great egret

Flycatchers

Many species in this family look identical and can only be identified from their calls. Most are small grey and white birds but there are exceptions, such as the two birds shown here that are larger flycatchers with distinguishing features.

Eastern kingbird

Weight: 1.4 oz.                    Wingspan: 15"                    Habitat: grasslands
Parks to explore: Hidden Lake, Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Veterans Park

Eastern kingbird

Great-crested flycatcher

Weight: 1.2 oz.                    Wingspan: 13"                    Habitat: open woodlands
Parks to explore: Blair Landing, Chapin Forest Reservation, Girdled Road Reservation

Great-crested flycatcher

Shorebirds

This group is one of the more difficult to identify. Observing behavior is important for shorebirds. Watch how they forage for food and what habitat they are in to help narrow down your search. The American woodcock is the only forest-dwelling shorebird.

American woodcock

Weight: 7 oz.                    Wingspan: 18"                    Habitat: forests 
Parks to explore: Lake Erie Bluffs, Hidden Lake, Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Girdled Road Reservation

American woodcock

Raptors

Owls, hawks, osprey, harriers, eagles and vultures are classified as raptors. Most (but not all) owls are nocturnal while all other raptors are diurnal (active mainly in the daytime). Look for a hooked beak and sharp talons on these birds.

Osprey

Weight: 3.5 lbs.                    Wingspan: 63"                    Habitat: near lakes & rivers
Parks to explore: Chagrin River Park, Veterans Park

Osprey

Warblers

Perhaps the most beloved of the bird groups, warblers are both colorful and confusing. On average, 37 species of warblers come through Ohio each year. Look for unique color patterns and make note of the habitat you find them in. 

Yellow-rumped warbler

Weight: 0.43 oz.                    Wingspan: 5.5"                    Habitat: forests 
Parks to explore: Chagrin River Park, Lake Erie Bluffs, Veterans Park

Yellow-rumped warbler

American redstart

Weight: 0.29 oz.                    Wingspan: 7.8"                    Habitat: forests 
Parks to explore: Blair Landing, Lakeshore Reservation, Gully Brook Park

American redstart

Yellow warbler

Weight: 0.33 oz.                    Wingspan: 8"                    Habitat: open woodlands
Parks to explore: Chagrin River Park, Hidden Lake, Lake Erie Bluffs

Yellow warbler

Black-throated blue warbler

Weight: 0.36 oz.                    Wingspan: 7.8"                    Habitat: forests 
Parks to explore: Chapin Forest Reservation, Lakeshore Reservation, Penitentiary Glen Reservation

Black-throated blue warbler